Ballroom dancing is for all ages.Young and old alike can enjoy social dancing. Statistics show that those who are into ballroom dancing are usually ages 40’s – 60’s. That’s why ballroom dancing is often associated with older people. The trend, however, indicates an increasing number of teens or those who are in their 20’s engaging in ballroom dancing. In fact, some of the best ballroom dancers are in their 20’s. Not only that, but kids are now dancing to the 1940’s craze Lindy Hop.

Moms around the world even introduce their little misses and tykes to ballroom dancing either as a hobby or grooming them to become dance pro.

When is the proper time to learn ballroom dancing?

I could say the moment you know your right foot from your left, then, it’s time to learn ballroom dancing. Seriously, you may opt to know social dancing at the early stage of your life or the later stage, it doesn’t really matter. When to start learning becomes crucially important if your purpose is to become a professional ballroom dancer. Of course, those who are early in the game will have an advantage. Generally, it takes 5-7 years dancing experience to get to the top. Most start to learn in their early 20’s or even at a much younger age especially those competing for the juvenile division. Most college students who are members of collegiate ballroom dancing competitions start at the age of 17. Ballroom dance classes downtown toronto organized a good competitions.

But surely, most have some form of dance experience prior to ballroom dancing. Mothers even groom their little kids to become ballroom dancers at tender ages.

What are the age groups in ballroom competitions? There are two categories in a ballroom dancing competition, the amateur rank and the professional rank. In the amateur competition, dancers are categorized into age groups while in a professional division, age is immaterial.

Age groups in an amateur ballroom dance competition

Juveniles (up to 12 yrs. old)

Juniors (13-16 yrs. old )

Youth (17- 21 yrs. old)

Adult Amateurs (16+)

Seniors (35+)

Over 45′s (45+)

However, if you wish to learn ballroom dancing as a recreation or exercise, then you can start ballroom dancing anytime. Ballroom dancing is a great after work activity to relieve the stress and tension of a day’s job. Or you may take up dancing lessons on weekends. Even doubly great you can learn ballroom dancing whatever time you want with the availability of do-it-at-home ballroom dancing kit and ballroom dancing online courses. Among elderly people, it’s not too late to learn social dancing. In fact, a study in Brazil (where some of the Latin dances originated) validated ballroom dancing as a therapy for elderly people. The result of the dance action-research among 60 senior citizens in Brazil was printed in the American Journal of Dance Therapy volume 29, number 2 published last Dec. 2007. But why wait when you can start learning ballroom dancing now? The earlier you get into social dancing, the more you reap the many benefits and rewards of ballroom dancing.

How relevant is ballroom dancing in today’s age?

Ballroom dancing is timeless. In today’s age, ballroom dancing becomes even more popular and is in fact a growing multi-billion dollar industry based on a market analysis. Each year, more than a million people enroll in ballroom dancing classes according to WGBH-TV. In addition, from 1985 there is an increase of 25% per year in the number of amateur ballroom dancers.

Even among the new generation, ballroom dancing is not viewed as an outdated out-of-generation Y activity. Among teens and young kids, ballroom dancing is fun. In fact, some schools include some forms of social dancing in their curriculum. Colleges and universities even hold inter-school dance competitions, thus, most colleges or universities have their own dance club or organization. Perhaps, the greatest testament to the relevance of ballroom dancing in today’s age is the recognition awarded by the International Olympic Committee to dancesport as an Olympic event.